Indian Schools of Practical Nursing Collection

The Kiowa Nurse Aide School, located in Lawton, Oklahoma, opened in 1935. Miss Martha E. Keaton served as the schools first director and remained in that position until the late 1940s. The first studentss in the program, eleven in total, graduated in 1936. In 1951, the school changed its name to the Kiowa School of Practical Nursing and was approved by the National Association of Practical Nurse Education. The program moved from Oklahoma to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1955 and changed its name to the Indian School of Practical Nursing.

The mission of the program was to train and educate young women to become licensed practical nurses. In order to enter the program, women had to meet a few requirements, including: having at least a quarter degree of Native American blood, graduated from high school or having passed the equivalency, and be between the ages of 18-50. A 1968 report further stated that women also had to: provide a birth certificate, make arrangements for any children under their care, and sign a two-year contract to work in a federally run hospital upon graduating.

Students admitted into the program were required to live in resident quarters on the campus. Curfews were placed on students as well. The only days which students could either have guests over or go out were Friday-Sunday. Tuition, books, room and board, uniforms, and laundry were provide free of charge for the students. Students also received a stipend each month, part of which was placed into a savings fund and given to them upon graduating. During the program, vacation timed was earned. Once the student graduated, she was given three weeks of vacation, with pay, prior to starting her first assignment. The year long program was divided into three sections: an orientation period (1 week), pre-clinical training (16 weeks), and clinical (32 weeks).

In addition to the school in Albuquerque, another school was established in Alaska. The Mt. Edgecumbe Indian School of Practical Nursing was established in 1952. Unfortunately, the school was not as successful as the original and closed in June of 1961 due to low enrollment numbers. The Albuquerque school remained in operation until 1974.